These exterior influences and pressures, combined with Milton's amazing ability and the mirror his writings seem to hold up to society, are the key to understanding Milton's confusing ambiguity in making Satan the epic hero in "Paradise Lost". The critical readings and commentaries on "Paradise Lost" seem to be overwhelmed by the epic poem itself. ... He writes in his "Second Defence" that the epic poet is not able to focus on anything more than a particular event. He says, Moreover, just as an epic poet, if he is scrupulous and disinclined to break the rules, undertakes to ext...

• Word Count: 1188
• Approx Pages: 5
• Grade Level: Undergraduate